English School, 1816, View of Belmont from the residence of the Governor of Trinidad; and Cocoreete Bay, Trinidad

English School, 1816
View of Belmont from the residence of the Governor of Trinidad; and Cocoreete Bay, Trinidad
the first signed with initials, inscribed and dated 'Belmont, the Residence of the Governor / Island of Trinidad. ~ W. Indies ~ / J.N.(?) 1816' on the reverse, signed with initials, inscribed and dated 'Belmont The Residence of the Governor / Island of Trinidad W. Indies / J.N.(?) 1816' on an old label attached to the backing board
the second signed with initials, inscribed and dated 'Cocoreete Bay. - Island of Trinidad. ~ W.Indies ~ / J.N.(?) 1816' on the reverse, indistinctly inscribed and dated 'Cocoreete Bay - Island of Trinidad [W. Indies] / 1816' on an old label attached to the backing board
watercolour on paper
each 61⁄8 x 91⁄2in. (15.6 x 24.1cm.)
The first British Governor's residence at Belmont Hill was a plantation house acquired in 1803: 'The ‘new’ Government House was described by Governor Hislop, Picton’s successor [in 1804], as “a hut, neither-nor rainproof, and much decayed.” ... Sir Ralph Woodford became Governor of the colony in 1813. With great reluctance he continued to live at Belmont Hill, where he found that “there being scarcely a dry spot during heavy rain.” In 1818, negotiations were opened with Henri Peschier for a property of over 200 acres at Saint Ann, which was eventually purchased for £9,160 Sterling. The new Government House was completed in August of 1820. The building was situated a little in front of what is now President’s House. It continued in use as the official residence for ten Governors until in 1867 it was destroyed by fire.' (G.A. Besson, 'President’s House, or The Ups and Downs of Trinidad & Tobago’s Official Mansions' in The Caribbean History Archives, 30 May 2018).
two (2)

Please note this lot is the property of a private individual.

Provenance

Earl of Minto.